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Innocent Monsters #1
Salvation
A wendigo afraid of hurting people. A vampire who who revels in his bloodlust.
Dell
Nothing was worse than getting turned into a monster by the one person who was never supposed to harm you. I couldn't remember a time when I hadn't been a monster, and I'd given up hope of ever being anything else.
Then Valerio showed up, and he told me things could be different. That he knew what real monsters looked like, and I could help him hunt them down.
Valerio
I'd never met a monster who was less monster-like than Dell. So what if he needed to eat human flesh to survive? I could offer him a five-course meal and clean the world of some filth in one go.
I was determined to show him how different he was from true monsters, if only so he'd stop starving himself. He was kind and innocent, the complete opposite of what monsters were.
Salvation is an MM monster x supernatural romance featuring a wendigo who hates what he is until his mate shows him otherwise, a vampire who revels in his bloodlust, and a romance that is slow to spark, but blazing once it's lit.
Warning: Blood and gore with a side of tooth-rotting sweetness!
All the books in the Innocent Monsters series can be read as standalones and are not inter-connected. Check out Stella's Lords of Otherworld series to get a peek at all the monsters you'll be meeting in this series!
Dell
Nothing was worse than getting turned into a monster by the one person who was never supposed to harm you. I couldn't remember a time when I hadn't been a monster, and I'd given up hope of ever being anything else.
Then Valerio showed up, and he told me things could be different. That he knew what real monsters looked like, and I could help him hunt them down.
Valerio
I'd never met a monster who was less monster-like than Dell. So what if he needed to eat human flesh to survive? I could offer him a five-course meal and clean the world of some filth in one go.
I was determined to show him how different he was from true monsters, if only so he'd stop starving himself. He was kind and innocent, the complete opposite of what monsters were.
Salvation is an MM monster x supernatural romance featuring a wendigo who hates what he is until his mate shows him otherwise, a vampire who revels in his bloodlust, and a romance that is slow to spark, but blazing once it's lit.
Warning: Blood and gore with a side of tooth-rotting sweetness!
All the books in the Innocent Monsters series can be read as standalones and are not inter-connected. Check out Stella's Lords of Otherworld series to get a peek at all the monsters you'll be meeting in this series!
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2023
255 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Stella Rainbow
54 books278 followersStella Rainbow is the pen name of a twenty something woman from India. Her heart is too full of rainbow colored stories to be limited by the lack of awareness in her home country.
Stella spends her days cuddling up with her cat, typing out new stories, daydreaming and reading all the books she can get her hands on.
She loves talking to her readers and other book lovers, so don't hesitate in contacting her on any of her socials or emailing her at authorstellarainbow@gmail.com
Stella spends her days cuddling up with her cat, typing out new stories, daydreaming and reading all the books she can get her hands on.
She loves talking to her readers and other book lovers, so don't hesitate in contacting her on any of her socials or emailing her at authorstellarainbow@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 20, 2024
“You, Dell Santos, are an incredible man.”
“That’s not my last name.”
“I know. It’s mine. I thought it could be yours too,”
SMOOTH VAL!
I love fluffy, gentle monsters 🥹
“That’s not my last name.”
“I know. It’s mine. I thought it could be yours too,”
SMOOTH VAL!
I love fluffy, gentle monsters 🥹
April 3, 2023
The good
+ Valerio wooing Dell slowly to prevent spooking him
+ Dell's pajamas with little ducks on them!
+ Valerio understanding Dell and his troubled past better than anyone else could
+ Valerio carrying Dell around all the time
+ Dell finally allowing himself to be touched and loved by someone
+ The perfect pairing of a blood-consuming vampire and a flesh-consuming wendigo. Perfect way to share their meals
The neutral
o Did Valerio have a job? Or was his only 'job' being a vigilante killer? And if so, how did he earn money?
o The descriptions of the horrible acts performed by some of Valerio's victims were pretty graphic. You should be aware of that before starting this book
The bad
- Two seconds after the reader learned the wendigo's name was Dell, Valerio killed a guy named Dale. That was really confusing
- I still don't understand why Valerio . Why was he different from other vampires? Were there others like him?
- This series was advertised as standalones that are not interconnected. However, this book is pretty closely connected to Nox from the Lords of Otherworld series, and Nox and his mate show up a few times as well. Not a complete standalone after all.
Quotes
x "You, Dell Santos, are an incredible man." "That's not my last name." "I know. It's mine. I thought it could be yours too."
This was pretty cute. I liked the connection between the characters, the way they found their footing around each other and how they took care of one another. Some parts missed the mark for me and I hope the other three monster books will be better, but I had a good time reading this regardless. Would recommend.
+ Valerio wooing Dell slowly to prevent spooking him
+ Dell's pajamas with little ducks on them!
+ Valerio understanding Dell and his troubled past better than anyone else could
+ Valerio carrying Dell around all the time
+ Dell finally allowing himself to be touched and loved by someone
+ The perfect pairing of a blood-consuming vampire and a flesh-consuming wendigo. Perfect way to share their meals
The neutral
o Did Valerio have a job? Or was his only 'job' being a vigilante killer? And if so, how did he earn money?
o The descriptions of the horrible acts performed by some of Valerio's victims were pretty graphic. You should be aware of that before starting this book
The bad
- Two seconds after the reader learned the wendigo's name was Dell, Valerio killed a guy named Dale. That was really confusing
- I still don't understand why Valerio . Why was he different from other vampires? Were there others like him?
- This series was advertised as standalones that are not interconnected. However, this book is pretty closely connected to Nox from the Lords of Otherworld series, and Nox and his mate show up a few times as well. Not a complete standalone after all.
Quotes
x "You, Dell Santos, are an incredible man." "That's not my last name." "I know. It's mine. I thought it could be yours too."
This was pretty cute. I liked the connection between the characters, the way they found their footing around each other and how they took care of one another. Some parts missed the mark for me and I hope the other three monster books will be better, but I had a good time reading this regardless. Would recommend.
March 19, 2023
This might sound like an odd review but bear with me.
This is the first time ever I have felt a tad bit nauseous from reading a book, and here's why. This book is unbelievably detailed, extremely so. And since Dell is a Wendigo, it made for some gruesome scenes. So, if blood and gore is something that triggers you, proceed with caution.
Having said that, I loved reading this book. I know what you must be thinking, "you just said this made you feel nauseous, but you loved it?" Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. When an author writes a book with detailed descriptions of not only the backgrounds and scenes, but also the characters I can almost visualize what is happening in my head. And when an author can write something THAT well, it's automatically a 5 star review. So yes, while I wasn't expecting how gory this book was, I loved the characters. Dell may be a Wendigo but his character is so sweet, and so caring. He doesn't want to hurt any innocent people, so he starves himself. Then Valerio walks into his life, and makes him an offer he can't refuse.
Valerio is a vampire, he's been one for a long time, and Dell intrigued him. Val has been watching the wendigo for a long time, and has noticed that Dell is starving himself. So Val comes up with an arrangement, they'll only feed on the vile humans who deserve to be punished. Val wasn't expecting to fall for the sweet wendigo, nor was he expecting them to be... Mates.
As mentioned above, this book was very well written, and has phenomenal characters! Dell and Val were terrific together and I enjoyed the aspect of them only feeding on the awful people in this world. Val was good for Dell and helped him for the better. The mates aspect was really well done, it didn't happen right away, it was a bit of a slow burn. It was so good! And.. can I just say.. I loved that Val rescued a certain three legged fiend.
And what they named him?? Baz? After the books that brought these two men together was just a wholesome moment!
I'm really excited to read who's story is next.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
This is the first time ever I have felt a tad bit nauseous from reading a book, and here's why. This book is unbelievably detailed, extremely so. And since Dell is a Wendigo, it made for some gruesome scenes. So, if blood and gore is something that triggers you, proceed with caution.
Having said that, I loved reading this book. I know what you must be thinking, "you just said this made you feel nauseous, but you loved it?" Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. When an author writes a book with detailed descriptions of not only the backgrounds and scenes, but also the characters I can almost visualize what is happening in my head. And when an author can write something THAT well, it's automatically a 5 star review. So yes, while I wasn't expecting how gory this book was, I loved the characters. Dell may be a Wendigo but his character is so sweet, and so caring. He doesn't want to hurt any innocent people, so he starves himself. Then Valerio walks into his life, and makes him an offer he can't refuse.
Valerio is a vampire, he's been one for a long time, and Dell intrigued him. Val has been watching the wendigo for a long time, and has noticed that Dell is starving himself. So Val comes up with an arrangement, they'll only feed on the vile humans who deserve to be punished. Val wasn't expecting to fall for the sweet wendigo, nor was he expecting them to be... Mates.
As mentioned above, this book was very well written, and has phenomenal characters! Dell and Val were terrific together and I enjoyed the aspect of them only feeding on the awful people in this world. Val was good for Dell and helped him for the better. The mates aspect was really well done, it didn't happen right away, it was a bit of a slow burn. It was so good! And.. can I just say.. I loved that Val rescued a certain three legged fiend.
And what they named him?? Baz? After the books that brought these two men together was just a wholesome moment!
I'm really excited to read who's story is next.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
March 9, 2025
The method of creating a wen**** made me vom and that’s a very specific thing that happens with any books involving human…. Meat (omg 😖😖😖) . My struggle was mirrored with the characters own though which made the severity of the MMCs trauma that much more severe.
That said, del was the freaking sweetest. He and Val were two lonely solitary souls that fit perfectly together. That final chapter with Nox…. Color me intrigued. Can’t wait to read those books!
Hunger always won. It was how most w******* were created, after all. People stuck in desperate situations, forced to consume the flesh of other humans around them to survive. I didn’t know what Dell’s story was, but from the way he fought it, I couldn’t imagine he’d have ever willingly consumed human flesh. I imagined he’d have preferred death.
That said, del was the freaking sweetest. He and Val were two lonely solitary souls that fit perfectly together. That final chapter with Nox…. Color me intrigued. Can’t wait to read those books!
October 20, 2023
4.5 solid stars.
Wow this series has come SO far since Touch of Magic. That book was sweet, sweet, sweet. Little did I know that we would get here: a Vampire x Wendigo pairing who act as a vigilante duo getting rid of the bad guys while sating their particular dietary needs. They go after Rapists, Domestic Abusers, Pedophiles, and Child Pornographers. What a team! Well, superheroes have gotta eat.
Wow this series has come SO far since Touch of Magic. That book was sweet, sweet, sweet. Little did I know that we would get here: a Vampire x Wendigo pairing who act as a vigilante duo getting rid of the bad guys while sating their particular dietary needs. They go after Rapists, Domestic Abusers, Pedophiles, and Child Pornographers. What a team! Well, superheroes have gotta eat.
June 7, 2023
While I enjoyed the premise (and the indulgently vivid descriptions of gore and guts) the delivery was all tell no show. Fairly repetitive and quite simplistic narration also made their brains a boring and somewhat childish place. Fluff, hurt/comfort, and insta love didn’t help (for me) ! DNF 72%
January 11, 2026
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it was a good start to the Innocent Monsters’ Series, and I’m glad that these Innocent Monsters get their own chance at finding their fated mates. I thought that Dell and Valerio were perfect for each other. Dell is a total sweetheart, and Valerio just wants to take care of him. Dell was turned into a Wendigo against his will. Valerio is a vampire, who has to feed until he k*lls them. When he was younger he tried to stop and let the person go, but then he ended up tracking them down and finishing the job so he now only goes after evil people.
When Valerio sees that Dell is starving himself he decides to leave him care packages. It was heartbreaking hearing about Dell and Valerio’s past and I’m glad that they now have each other. If you have a bit of a squeamish stomach please be warned as Stella doesn’t shy away from being pretty descriptive about Dell chowing down. If you get what I mean? I loved the slow burn between these two, and that they never judged each other. It was nice seeing Nox and Harlan again, and I wonder what Innocent Monster is going to meet their fated mate next? I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it was a good start to the Innocent Monsters’ Series, and I’m glad that these Innocent Monsters get their own chance at finding their fated mates. I thought that Dell and Valerio were perfect for each other. Dell is a total sweetheart, and Valerio just wants to take care of him. Dell was turned into a Wendigo against his will. Valerio is a vampire, who has to feed until he k*lls them. When he was younger he tried to stop and let the person go, but then he ended up tracking them down and finishing the job so he now only goes after evil people.
When Valerio sees that Dell is starving himself he decides to leave him care packages. It was heartbreaking hearing about Dell and Valerio’s past and I’m glad that they now have each other. If you have a bit of a squeamish stomach please be warned as Stella doesn’t shy away from being pretty descriptive about Dell chowing down. If you get what I mean? I loved the slow burn between these two, and that they never judged each other. It was nice seeing Nox and Harlan again, and I wonder what Innocent Monster is going to meet their fated mate next? I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
February 2, 2025
“What are you?” he demanded in a horrified whisper, and for once, I knew exactly what the answer was. “I’m the monster that eats monsters like you,” - Dell
Warnings: Child Abuse, Death of a Parent/Spouse, Graphic/Violent Scenes, Sexual Assault/Rape, Kidnapping, Pedophilia,
The Basics
Overall:
1st Person, Dual POV
3rd Act Break Up: No
Slow-burn: Eh
HEA: Yes
MC Sex w/o Other MC(s): No
Spice: 1.5/5
Angst/Stress: 1/5
Fluff: 3/5
Structure/Format/Flow: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Vampires recognized their mate by tasting their blood. And Dell’s blood told me he was mine. - Valerio
Intimate Moments Include:
I swallowed down bile as I closed my eyes and curled in on myself, hiding away from the world where I would always, always be a monster. - Dell
Main Character Information:
Dell: 25/26, Delaware, Wendigo, IT (works from home), blonde, brown eyes, innocent, sweet, touch deprived, virgin
Valerio: ~400, Val, Vampire, dark hair, emerald green eyes, driven by bloodlust when feeding, patient, caring, scarred by past
Dell was my mate, and there was no way I would ever give up on him. I’d been obsessed with him for years, and now that I knew who he was to me, it all made sense. - Valerio
Notable Tropes/Tags/Themes/etc.:
Wendigo x Vampire Romance
Paranormal
Fated Mates
Hurt/Comfort
Abuse
Morally Grey
“Why me? I mean, I remember all the sweet things you said about me, but you could have anyone you want. Why me? What’s so special about me?” - Dell
My Opinions on:
A hermit Wendigo gets forced out of hiding with the help of a determined Vampire. What a better way than to use Dell’s hatred of himself and his Wendigo to clean up the world of the true monsters? This was such a good story and I loved how they both shared their tragic pasts and healed together. Fate knows what they’re doing, and Nox will make sure it happens. :)
Favorite Part: When they went to that farm towards the end and Dell went to and they said that they wouldn’t tell because . Like come on, how is that not fucking adorable and squeeze your heart? Dell really needed to hear that since he’s hated himself for so long.
Favorite Side Character(s): N/A
Hardest/Most Difficult Part: Ugh when Dell . I just knew Dell was going to HATE himself for it. And I KNEW Val was going to still think the world of him and be there for him. It was exactly what Dell was worried about.
Thoughts On World Building: I have not read all of Stella Rainbow’s books, and I also haven’t read them in order, but I can see how her stories are interconnected and I love that! When a series ends, I always miss it but this way it still feels like they continue on. I also love this series in particular with Nox being cupid and Harlan following along and these “monsters” learning they are not that.
“Listen to me, Dell. The only way you’ll ever get rid of me is if you kill me, and I know you won’t do that, even if you don’t believe it yourself. You’re stuck with me, and I’m not going anywhere, okay?” - Valerio
Milestone Moments:
“Maybe the two of us can be monsters together, then,” - Dell
Side Characters:
Nox:
Harlan:
Baz:
Mac:
Lynux:
The world was full of humans like him, humans who hurt and abused the ones they were supposed to love, and yet they thought we were the monsters. - Valerio
April 12, 2023
ARC review
Thanks to Stella for an arc. ♥️
Book: Salvation by Stella Rainbow (30/03/2023).
Salvation is the first book in the Innocent Monsters series that tells how Dell, a lonely wendigo who lives locked in his cabin in the woods with the afraid of his monster kill innocent people, find a way out of the darkness and traumas he face, with Valerio, a lonely mercenary vampire who runs the night hunting the worst humanity monsters in is town and give them a final punishment for them action and feed his blood thirst, who helps him overthrow his traumas and scares meanwhile try to show him that they were done for each other.
The book goes deeper in themes like parental abuse (physical and psychology), trust issues caused by the point below, hunting of humanity monsters that gonna make you wish be you taking they're head, a realistic perspective of some humanity, a good piece of angst, a slow burning romance that will make you cry, a bunch of cute, moments and dark too that gonna make you wish a relationship like this and a end that make me cry tangled in my bed sheets. 🥺😭
The 23-chapter narrative plus an Epilogue is narrated in the third person in the prologue, and then there's a dual Pov between the characters but nothing that's going to mess up the understanding of its situations and events in its 234 pages.
My first paranormal read with a wendigo as a main character and I like it too much and I'm keeping my babies Dell and Val (and Baz too of course) in my heart a place that they conquer it with success. I'm sad that they love story end up (and I still need a extra or a short story of they're marriage please Stella 😭) but I'm really excited and curious about the next book and what's Nox next target (Saint Cupid Nox ♥️🙏).
I'd like to see more of Dell and Val happy moments (cuz they deserve it) and a little more prowess of them as partner of crime (even if I don't think it's a crime) and a little bit more of exploration of both past, but even without that, the book has my heart.
Salvation is the perfect title for this story, because It's not only about they save people or each other it's about they save and accept their own sins and failures and permise they're selfs of fight for happiness even when everything says the opposite.
(I'm going to stop writing because this review is turning out to be longer than expected and I don't want to risk giving away a spoiler).
Salvation is the perfect book for you if you like a strangers to friends to lovers romance , to see a sweet wendigo and a hot vampire mercenary as a couple, suspense, action, a dash of drama, write of sensible themes as parental abuse, panic attack and crisis too, and a beautiful love story that will always be here with me.
P.s.: I'm here almost crying at the end of this review, cuz I'm not ready to say goodbye to my sweet couple. 🥺♥️
Thanks to Stella for an arc. ♥️
Book: Salvation by Stella Rainbow (30/03/2023).
Salvation is the first book in the Innocent Monsters series that tells how Dell, a lonely wendigo who lives locked in his cabin in the woods with the afraid of his monster kill innocent people, find a way out of the darkness and traumas he face, with Valerio, a lonely mercenary vampire who runs the night hunting the worst humanity monsters in is town and give them a final punishment for them action and feed his blood thirst, who helps him overthrow his traumas and scares meanwhile try to show him that they were done for each other.
The book goes deeper in themes like parental abuse (physical and psychology), trust issues caused by the point below, hunting of humanity monsters that gonna make you wish be you taking they're head, a realistic perspective of some humanity, a good piece of angst, a slow burning romance that will make you cry, a bunch of cute, moments and dark too that gonna make you wish a relationship like this and a end that make me cry tangled in my bed sheets. 🥺😭
The 23-chapter narrative plus an Epilogue is narrated in the third person in the prologue, and then there's a dual Pov between the characters but nothing that's going to mess up the understanding of its situations and events in its 234 pages.
My first paranormal read with a wendigo as a main character and I like it too much and I'm keeping my babies Dell and Val (and Baz too of course) in my heart a place that they conquer it with success. I'm sad that they love story end up (and I still need a extra or a short story of they're marriage please Stella 😭) but I'm really excited and curious about the next book and what's Nox next target (Saint Cupid Nox ♥️🙏).
I'd like to see more of Dell and Val happy moments (cuz they deserve it) and a little more prowess of them as partner of crime (even if I don't think it's a crime) and a little bit more of exploration of both past, but even without that, the book has my heart.
Salvation is the perfect title for this story, because It's not only about they save people or each other it's about they save and accept their own sins and failures and permise they're selfs of fight for happiness even when everything says the opposite.
(I'm going to stop writing because this review is turning out to be longer than expected and I don't want to risk giving away a spoiler).
Salvation is the perfect book for you if you like a strangers to friends to lovers romance , to see a sweet wendigo and a hot vampire mercenary as a couple, suspense, action, a dash of drama, write of sensible themes as parental abuse, panic attack and crisis too, and a beautiful love story that will always be here with me.
P.s.: I'm here almost crying at the end of this review, cuz I'm not ready to say goodbye to my sweet couple. 🥺♥️
July 17, 2023
Decent but there really needs to be a reading order for all these books. This is a spin off of the series that starts with Maximus, which is a spin off of another series- but which I don't know. There are 2 other series listed and I don't know which order to read them all in. So...I probably won't. I know that's a me issue but I can't be the only one, can I?? There's an author's website but it doesn't list order, except for the book order within each series. Which is nice. But I need to start at the beginning. Because there appears to have been some world building at some point but now it's all just assumed. People are mentioned we're supposed to know but if you haven't read them you don't know them. Maybe if you've followed the author from the beginning you would. But if they're looking to attract new readers...a list would really help. Please?
Also, I know that these good monsters eat bad monsters, and they have good reason the bad monsters were chosen. But still, at least give a brief mention maybe of a trigger warning? I know bad guy is a general term, and it was going to be very bad people that would make gentle Dell decide they'd be better off the face of the Earth and in his belly. But those that prey on children, that's a trigger for quite a few of us. And while nothing graphic is mentioned, a scene was walked in on, while the bad guy was actively harming a child.
Honestly, I like the open portrayal of the various characters. No 'phobes allowed, only joy and acceptance of their mates. I think I would enjoy the series, all of them, but I know myself well enough to know I really need a reading list order so I see this world develop from the very beginning or I'll just continue to be frustrated.
Also, I know that these good monsters eat bad monsters, and they have good reason the bad monsters were chosen. But still, at least give a brief mention maybe of a trigger warning? I know bad guy is a general term, and it was going to be very bad people that would make gentle Dell decide they'd be better off the face of the Earth and in his belly. But those that prey on children, that's a trigger for quite a few of us. And while nothing graphic is mentioned, a scene was walked in on, while the bad guy was actively harming a child.
Honestly, I like the open portrayal of the various characters. No 'phobes allowed, only joy and acceptance of their mates. I think I would enjoy the series, all of them, but I know myself well enough to know I really need a reading list order so I see this world develop from the very beginning or I'll just continue to be frustrated.
April 19, 2023
Salvation brings the characters to life and will pull on your empathy for these two fated mates.
During the pandemic, I started reading male/male paranormal romance novels with a five-book series by Alexander Elliott about the Gladstone Shifters. His writing brought to life wolf shifters as I’ve never experienced. According to Mr. Elliott, he doesn’t mix different supernatural types (e.g., wolf and lion shifters) in the same book. After finishing the last book (“Discovery Moon”), I wanted to read more. In my search for other wolves, I found the book “My Elf Mate” by Stella Rainbow, in which a wolf finds his fated mate to be an elf! Upon finishing the book, I realized a simple fact. She had me hooked.
With my finishing “Salvation,” I’ve purchased and read all of her books. One thing is clear whether she meant it or not, her books show us the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations).
Reading her many books about vampires fated to mages, mages with humans, wendigos with vampires, elves with wolves, dragons with humans, etc., we can see the many combinations possible for all sentient beings. They’re not forced combinations, but natural occurrences. The diversity of gender identity and sexual orientations along with the many combinations of supernatural beings gives us clear examples of how to bring IDIC to our own writing (books or fan fiction).
As I understand it, the “Salvation” book is the start of a five-book series about innocent monsters (wendigo, troll, kraken, kelpie, and a wyvern). Readers learned about these monsters initially from the “Lords of the Otherworld” four-book series. In the book “Nox,” Nox and his fated mate (Harlen) track down five monsters being used by a witch’s coven for dark purposes. They saw sentient beings working hard to not be a threat to anyone even to their own personal detriment.
Salvation brings a wendigo (Dell) and a vampire (Valerio) together. They need to work through their own damaged backgrounds, which affect how they see and interact with themselves, each other, and life. As with many fated mates, they complement each other physically and with their very souls. Ms. Rainbow uses her techniques (developed over many books) to give us multidimensional characters that jump off the page; tugging at our hearts, as they try to fix themselves, each other, and finally (in the end) find their HEA (Happy Ever After).
As always, the book ends with an epilog and a bonus epilog for those who sign up for her newsletter.
I am a new member of Ms. Rainbow’s ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) group. In the case of Salvation, I placed a pre-order through Amazon paying full price. My Salvation ARC copy arrived only after I completed reading my purchased copy. (It came as a test for future books.) This review is and all future reviews are as a paying customer.
During the pandemic, I started reading male/male paranormal romance novels with a five-book series by Alexander Elliott about the Gladstone Shifters. His writing brought to life wolf shifters as I’ve never experienced. According to Mr. Elliott, he doesn’t mix different supernatural types (e.g., wolf and lion shifters) in the same book. After finishing the last book (“Discovery Moon”), I wanted to read more. In my search for other wolves, I found the book “My Elf Mate” by Stella Rainbow, in which a wolf finds his fated mate to be an elf! Upon finishing the book, I realized a simple fact. She had me hooked.
With my finishing “Salvation,” I’ve purchased and read all of her books. One thing is clear whether she meant it or not, her books show us the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations).
Reading her many books about vampires fated to mages, mages with humans, wendigos with vampires, elves with wolves, dragons with humans, etc., we can see the many combinations possible for all sentient beings. They’re not forced combinations, but natural occurrences. The diversity of gender identity and sexual orientations along with the many combinations of supernatural beings gives us clear examples of how to bring IDIC to our own writing (books or fan fiction).
As I understand it, the “Salvation” book is the start of a five-book series about innocent monsters (wendigo, troll, kraken, kelpie, and a wyvern). Readers learned about these monsters initially from the “Lords of the Otherworld” four-book series. In the book “Nox,” Nox and his fated mate (Harlen) track down five monsters being used by a witch’s coven for dark purposes. They saw sentient beings working hard to not be a threat to anyone even to their own personal detriment.
Salvation brings a wendigo (Dell) and a vampire (Valerio) together. They need to work through their own damaged backgrounds, which affect how they see and interact with themselves, each other, and life. As with many fated mates, they complement each other physically and with their very souls. Ms. Rainbow uses her techniques (developed over many books) to give us multidimensional characters that jump off the page; tugging at our hearts, as they try to fix themselves, each other, and finally (in the end) find their HEA (Happy Ever After).
As always, the book ends with an epilog and a bonus epilog for those who sign up for her newsletter.
I am a new member of Ms. Rainbow’s ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) group. In the case of Salvation, I placed a pre-order through Amazon paying full price. My Salvation ARC copy arrived only after I completed reading my purchased copy. (It came as a test for future books.) This review is and all future reviews are as a paying customer.
April 26, 2023
So sweet with a dash of dark darkness
Dell and Val's story is lovely and sweet while also being kinda dark and twisted. Not for them but things happening around them I guess.
I have been waiting so long to read this story. Dell is the sweetest being of his kind and though I neve thought I could adore someone who had his curse, adore him I did. And obviously so did Valerio.
It was nice to read about Dell working on his 'problem' and finding a way to channel it. The justice they met out was swift and brutal and totally deserved. Though it was disturbing to read even a tiny bit of what these two 'sweet monsters' were taking out of this world it was also gratifying and raised my spirits too.
Some of the content mentioned in this can be super dark though it is not in detail, but they way they dealt with it and feel in love along the way made it all worth it. I've been routing for Dell ever since he and the others were saved by the Otherworlder's and I'm glad I finally got to read his story and he got a much deserved happy ending.
Dell and Val's story is lovely and sweet while also being kinda dark and twisted. Not for them but things happening around them I guess.
I have been waiting so long to read this story. Dell is the sweetest being of his kind and though I neve thought I could adore someone who had his curse, adore him I did. And obviously so did Valerio.
It was nice to read about Dell working on his 'problem' and finding a way to channel it. The justice they met out was swift and brutal and totally deserved. Though it was disturbing to read even a tiny bit of what these two 'sweet monsters' were taking out of this world it was also gratifying and raised my spirits too.
Some of the content mentioned in this can be super dark though it is not in detail, but they way they dealt with it and feel in love along the way made it all worth it. I've been routing for Dell ever since he and the others were saved by the Otherworlder's and I'm glad I finally got to read his story and he got a much deserved happy ending.
July 17, 2023
I came out of this book not entirely certain how I feel about it. On the one hand, Dell is an absolute ball of fluff (except for when he’s not), and I want Val to cuddle him and keep him happy forever. Val helps him accept himself and make the best of a rough situation that is absolutely not his fault. If you need to kill people to survive, these two have definitely selected those who are terrible human beings.
On the other hand, we spend a relatively high amount of screen time with these terrible human beings, so in addition to a fair bit more blood and gore than I prefer (but we’ve got a wendigo and a vampire for MCs, I guess I should have expected it), there are more terrible crimes than I want to be reading about. (Nothing horribly graphic, and I know people are being rescued. But it was still hard to read.)
I really enjoyed the fluffy bits and the ultimate self-acceptance and love that Dell and Val found, but I found the dark parts a a bit too dark for me.
On the other hand, we spend a relatively high amount of screen time with these terrible human beings, so in addition to a fair bit more blood and gore than I prefer (but we’ve got a wendigo and a vampire for MCs, I guess I should have expected it), there are more terrible crimes than I want to be reading about. (Nothing horribly graphic, and I know people are being rescued. But it was still hard to read.)
I really enjoyed the fluffy bits and the ultimate self-acceptance and love that Dell and Val found, but I found the dark parts a a bit too dark for me.
March 31, 2023
From the beginning of the book we know that Dell, our sweet and shy wendigo, hates what he is, and given the circumstances of how he got turned you can't blame him for being so mistrustfull and wary, especially when a growly vampire seems to be a bit obsessed with him. However, the more you read, the more you realize Valerio has his own issues to solve.
I really liked to see how their relationship developed and how they helped the other understand they were both blinded by their pain and guilt, and they were the true victims of their situation.
It was also nice to have some characters from the other books make an appearance.
An ARC was provided by the author. This is my honest review.
I really liked to see how their relationship developed and how they helped the other understand they were both blinded by their pain and guilt, and they were the true victims of their situation.
It was also nice to have some characters from the other books make an appearance.
An ARC was provided by the author. This is my honest review.
April 11, 2023
This story broke my heart but at the same time, was so sweet and cute that every stressful situation was worthy. The best parts of the book were the ones with Valerio's POV and his protectiveness of Dell and all the support and care he showed him and how slowly won him. Even when Dell's struggles were difficult to read, his reluctance to be a monster, his innocence and care for human life even above his well being was inspiring and beautiful. I enjoyed so much this addition of another thread to the giant tapestry Ms. Rainbow created in this Universe. As a fan I loved the surprise at the end of the book... sorry, no spoilers, but I recommend to read Lords of Otherworld's series to enjoy properly this twist in the story. Another wonderful read! I can't wait for more on this series!
April 17, 2023
I enjoyed the characters and their relationship. I've never read a book with a wendigo MC, so that was different. With a vampire and wendigo pairing, it was definitely bloody and gruesome at times, but that's kinda to be expected.
But. This book really, really needed some trigger warnings. Not for the blood and gore, but for the things the criminals the pair hunted did. All of them hurt kids in some really bad ways. And I can see that being an issue for a *lot* of people. But I looked everywhere and there aren't any trigger warnings anywhere. Hell, if I had known, I wouldn't have picked up the book in the first place. It makes me hesitant to read more by this author.
But. This book really, really needed some trigger warnings. Not for the blood and gore, but for the things the criminals the pair hunted did. All of them hurt kids in some really bad ways. And I can see that being an issue for a *lot* of people. But I looked everywhere and there aren't any trigger warnings anywhere. Hell, if I had known, I wouldn't have picked up the book in the first place. It makes me hesitant to read more by this author.
March 21, 2023
Some people just have special dietary requirements. Dell is sweet and innocent... for a "monster". Valerio is the perfect mate for him. He makes Dell see that while he may be labeled a "monster" by others, there are true evil monsters out there who need to be hunted. Sometimes, the only way to stop a monster is with a "monster".
Slightly gruesome, as expected for a romance between a Wendigo and a Vampire, but a very enjoyable fated mates read. Stella does a great job with paranormal romances.
Slightly gruesome, as expected for a romance between a Wendigo and a Vampire, but a very enjoyable fated mates read. Stella does a great job with paranormal romances.
April 18, 2023
A very sweet love story
Who can say what true monster is? Dell is a wendigo and Val is a vampire and both have had problems in the past with being a monster. But are they really? When you look at what people do to others on a daily basis, their cruelty and disregard for human life, aren't they they the true monsters. Dell and Val take it onto them selves to rid the world of the true monsters, humans. Murders,rapists, paedophiles all who slip through the system. Now that's justice!
Who can say what true monster is? Dell is a wendigo and Val is a vampire and both have had problems in the past with being a monster. But are they really? When you look at what people do to others on a daily basis, their cruelty and disregard for human life, aren't they they the true monsters. Dell and Val take it onto them selves to rid the world of the true monsters, humans. Murders,rapists, paedophiles all who slip through the system. Now that's justice!
April 27, 2023
Well - not what I expected but a good read anyway. I went in expecting tense, frightening, and gory, and while it was gory and had some tense moments - it was also an incredibly sweet love story even during the gory moments.
The characters were nicely developed and interesting. The context or world was good and the plot was basic with no real twists or moments when the reader goes" Oh shit - did not see that coming!"
A good read for a slow morning.
Rainbow's writing while good, does not have that super smooth flow, but the story makes up for it.
The characters were nicely developed and interesting. The context or world was good and the plot was basic with no real twists or moments when the reader goes" Oh shit - did not see that coming!"
A good read for a slow morning.
Rainbow's writing while good, does not have that super smooth flow, but the story makes up for it.
March 31, 2023
Salvation is the first book in a new spin-off series in the Mistvale universe. The book follows Dell, a Wendigo, and Valerio, a vampire. The book was well written and the characters were interesting and had lots of details about their past and slow-burn romance. Overall a good read and a good start to the Innocent Monsters series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 23, 2023
3.5☆ rounded up. Very cute. I've avoided trying this author as I got the impression they were still in that new author/less storytelling skill stage. And this story *was* a bit simplistic given the plot she took on, but it was also delightfully fluffy and sweet and entertaining, and at no point was I tempted to DNF even if there were plenty of places I would have loved more depth. Final verdict: I'm a fan 😊
October 23, 2023
Loved it
Oh it's so good, fated mates, a sarcastic grumpy vampire who just FALLS for the sweet monster boy who thinks he's unloveable. It's so well written and just so great! I haven't read any Stella Rainbow before but I will be diving into her back catalogue ASAP! Off to devour the rest of the series. Read it! There's a one bed scene!! A three legged puppy to be saved and bad people to be hunted.
Oh it's so good, fated mates, a sarcastic grumpy vampire who just FALLS for the sweet monster boy who thinks he's unloveable. It's so well written and just so great! I haven't read any Stella Rainbow before but I will be diving into her back catalogue ASAP! Off to devour the rest of the series. Read it! There's a one bed scene!! A three legged puppy to be saved and bad people to be hunted.
April 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
🌶🌶 peppers - few descriptive scenes
⚠️ trigger warnings - vampire and wendigo eating habits.
I loved this! There are not many wendigo romances out there. And a wendigo and a vampire are the perfect pair I didn't know I needed.
Quick easy read but so sweet. Favorite of the series.
Favorite line -
“You, Dell Santos, are an incredible man.” I chucked softly.
“That’s not my last name.”
“I know. It’s mine. I thought it could be yours, too.”
🌶🌶 peppers - few descriptive scenes
⚠️ trigger warnings - vampire and wendigo eating habits.
I loved this! There are not many wendigo romances out there. And a wendigo and a vampire are the perfect pair I didn't know I needed.
Quick easy read but so sweet. Favorite of the series.
Favorite line -
“You, Dell Santos, are an incredible man.” I chucked softly.
“That’s not my last name.”
“I know. It’s mine. I thought it could be yours, too.”
March 22, 2023
Okay, I love the fact we are getting the "innocent monster" HEA stories. Dell is a sweet monster needing love and Val just wants to take care of him. I love the fact Val found a way for Dell to get want he needs. Oh and seeing Nox is a wonderful surprise and I look forward to seeing what Stella does for the other "innocent monsters".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2023
A Wendigo and a Vampire?
Dell is a Wendigo turned against his will and having trouble with the need to eat people. Valerio is a Vampire who can't stop before killing people by drinking too much. His solution is to only go after bad people.
After meeting Dell and deciding he needs help, he starts leaving him "care packages ." This is slow burn, fated mates, and HEA.
Dell is a Wendigo turned against his will and having trouble with the need to eat people. Valerio is a Vampire who can't stop before killing people by drinking too much. His solution is to only go after bad people.
After meeting Dell and deciding he needs help, he starts leaving him "care packages ." This is slow burn, fated mates, and HEA.
April 1, 2023
Great story
I absolutely loved this story. This is the first story in a spinoff of the Lords of the Underworld. While you can read this as a stand-alone you first meet some of the characters in the other series. Val and Dell were absolutely perfect together and I so enjoyed their story. I can’t wait for the next story.
I absolutely loved this story. This is the first story in a spinoff of the Lords of the Underworld. While you can read this as a stand-alone you first meet some of the characters in the other series. Val and Dell were absolutely perfect together and I so enjoyed their story. I can’t wait for the next story.
April 14, 2023
Meh. I found the very graphic murders didn't mesh well with how sweet everything else was. Maybe if the characters were a bit darker it would have worked better, but it isn't quite right as it is now. I mean, I'll still read the next one in the series, but I expected a bit more.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2023
Cute and steamy!
This was a fun read! I liked the characters and their story for the most part, and I thought it was clever to pair up these two different kinds of supernatural entities. There were some flaws with the wiring - mostly repetition and redundant statements, but not enough to detract from the cute and steamy love story.
This was a fun read! I liked the characters and their story for the most part, and I thought it was clever to pair up these two different kinds of supernatural entities. There were some flaws with the wiring - mostly repetition and redundant statements, but not enough to detract from the cute and steamy love story.
August 11, 2023
Val was so sweet, protective and patient when it came to Dell. They help each other forgive themselves and accept love.
There are some tough subjects in this book that may be triggers for some, even with the brief descriptions. The scum that they hunt has done horrible and unspeakable things to others.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
There are some tough subjects in this book that may be triggers for some, even with the brief descriptions. The scum that they hunt has done horrible and unspeakable things to others.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
April 14, 2023
excellent
Really excellent story and I can’t wait for more from this universe. New to the author but will be reading more . Val and Dell are brilliant characters and it’s a great HEA story
Really excellent story and I can’t wait for more from this universe. New to the author but will be reading more . Val and Dell are brilliant characters and it’s a great HEA story
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